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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-03-2014 08:56 PM

JoeyG

I have a young dog that is now just now getting to a year old. On average he runs 4 miles a day to stay normal. He's from working lines if he doesn't run he goes crazy after a few days. He'll whine and start destroying everything. He's over 80lbs now and is truly muscle. He bit the leash at first but after a few corrections he learned quick not to do it and enjoy the run. Biting seemed to be a game a first because of his stubbornness and prey drive but they need to learn to walk on a leash first and then run.... IMHO

How much you can, or, better to say, you should exercise your dog - it should be the vet to tell you. With normal hips, metatarsi and tarsus joints it is desirable to provide intensive exercise for young dog. At that age wolves start training their young to hunt fast prey like deer.

The trouble is that we have soft foot wear on, and our dogs have not. Any sort of paving is really bad for their joints. Less time your dog runs on a hard concrete - less risk he will develop arthritis and stiffness of the joints. Run or ride your bicycle in the woods and definitely off leash. The best surface to exercise your dog - muddy grass after rain.

A few things - yes we may hike and ply fetch and allow our youngsters to run. But in most of these activities, the pup has the ability to self limit and the activity is probably not on concrete.

I would consider not jogging with a dog (under 14 months or so or until growth plates are closed) on concrete or when they do not have the ability to self limit.

Brilliant advice and agree totally - allow your pup to self limit their exercise until at least 14 months, possibly even 18 to 24 months. Dysplasia is very prominent in GSDs and environmental factors such as exercise which includes excessive running and/or jumping may contribute to the development and/or severity of dysplasia if the gene is present.

I meant i walk him using a Chain Leash sorry. i use a chain leash because he will bite the leash if im using a regular Kong nylon leash. What i mean to say basically is how can i stop him from biting the regular nylon leash when i wanna jog with him? I rather use the nylon leash instead of the chain leash because the chain just seems more heavy.

When my puppies were going through the lead biting stage, I put Vicks Vaporrub on the lead each time we ventured out. They hate the smell and won't put their mouths near anything with it on. It really does stop them from biting the lead and eventually this will be a learned behaviour and you won't have to put it on the lead any more